Riffer's @ 15

[Indiana_Jones]

My old girl is still well respected... unlike the rider...

That's not true baby!

-Indy

[banditrider]

Why is it that every time the RF900 is mentioned its always nominated as being under rated?

I have only ever seen people rate them highly, and they are a damn fine looking bike as far as the ricer style of bike is concerned.

Guess those that ride them rate them and those that don't don't? For 11k brand new they were damn good value. I found it a really sweet handler that didn't mind rougher roads and it had more performance than I cold use. Down side was engine vibration at legal speed limit - got very sore joints in hands on the GC.

[TLDV8]

Guess those that ride them rate them and those that don't don't? For 11k brand new they were damn good value.

Someone can correct me if wrong.
I was told originally they cost a lot more than that new then Canadian imports were bought in and sold for the $11000, (less than a new RGV250 at the time) shafting those that had payed $1000's more prior.

[warewolf]

Why is it that every time the RF900 is mentioned its always nominated as being under rated?

I have only ever seen people rate them highly, and they are a damn fine looking bike as far as the ricer style of bike is concerned.

Many people passed them over, purely because they weren't an uber sports bike. They're almost a newer version of the GSX-F. On the road, neither bike will hinder a good rider.

[98tls]

neither bike will hinder a good rider.

Careful there mate your well close to denting the egos of many interweb motorcyclists,particulary the many Foggys that seem to lurk here.Attached to many bikes bought by KBers is a piece of paper that says "you own it therefore your granted the right to profess the ability to ride it on the Interweb"

[Headbanger]

Many people passed them over, purely because they weren't an uber sports bike.

I figured that was the reasoning, But that would also apply to 99.9 percent of bikes on the road.

I'd have to wonder how many of these self-styled dare devils can ride their bikes in the upper limits they are capable of? Probably none. I'd guess most of them don't get anywhere close.

[The Pastor]

I figured that was the reasoning, But that would also apply to 99.9 percent of bikes on the road.

I'd have to wonder how many of these self-styled dare devils can ride their bikes in the upper limits they are capable of? Probably none. I'd guess most of them don't get anywhere close.

you should do some kb rides then

[warewolf]

I figured that was the reasoning, But that would also apply to 99.9 percent of bikes on the road.

It's human nature really, a vicious circle of desire and marketing. The media spends an inordinate amount of time on ultra sports bikes. If they waxed lyrical about less sports-focussed bikes, and treated the ultra sports as the exotica that they perhaps should be, then things might change. As it is now, quietly competent bikes like the RF (the TDM is another, there are lots) tend to be underrated. And I suspect that the broader the focus of the bike, the less favourable the reviews. Probably along the lines of good at everything, excellent at nothing, provides little material for sensationalist hyperbole.

I'd have to wonder how many of these self-styled dare devils can ride their bikes in the upper limits they are capable of? Probably none. I'd guess most of them don't get anywhere close.

Some can, but most don't get close. Usually the notably bad riders are on sports bikes. People on less sporty bikes seem to ride better, if slower. Riding trail/adventure bikes on the road really highlights just how little of a sports bike's potential capability is used 99% of the time.

But I can also understand ppl wanting to ride a really sharp weapon.

[Headbanger]

Personally I'd buy something like an RF over a high end sports bike any day, Sacrificing comfort and ride ability for out right speed that can't be made use of is just a bit of a wank. (much like Harley owners trying to emulate the American dream but thats another story entirely)

I spent a day on a Hayabusa (granted it was comfortable and a beautiful bike to ride),and while it was capable of amazing things, riding it hard on the road was only using a fraction of what it could do.

Using anywhere near its capabilities on the road would get you killed within an hour or two even if you were one of the best riders in NZ.